Building the Future at SW Florida International Airport

Southwest Florida International Airport opened in May 1983, and 1.3 million passengers traveled through the airport during its first full year of operation. During the next three years, passenger traffic doubled. The original Master Plan projected that by 1995 the airport would reach its capacity of 3 million passengers, a number that was surpassed in 1988 – seven years earlier than predicted. The airport hit the 4 million-passenger mark in 1994 and has served more than 5 million passengers annually since 2000.

To accommodate this dynamic growth, the Lee County Port Authority broke ground on a new Midfield Terminal Complex in early 2002. The project, located south of the existing runway, includes a new taxiway, associated aircraft aprons and ramps, and new roadways that will allow easy access from both Daniels Parkway and Alico Road exits from I-75.

DMJM Aviation leads the project team, which worked with airport officials, airlines, rental car agencies, regulatory agencies and other stakeholders to refine the project’s design. Surveys of passengers, airport visitors and employees, as well as airline staff, helped shape the new facility.

The two-story Midfield Terminal will open with 28 aircraft gates along three concourses. T-shaped extensions can be added to the concourses to provide additional gates – a few at a time or several – and there is space for two additional concourses. This excremental-expansion design provides long-term flexibility, cost efficiencies and the potential for a total of 65 gates.

When designing the new terminal, passenger convenience was a primary consideration. The number of seats in waiting areas was tripled and walking distances were minimized.

A dual roadway system will allow departing passengers to be dropped off on the upper-level curb, and arriving passengers to be picked up on the lower level. The upper level will include the curbside check-in, ticket counters, security clearance areas and aircraft gates, as well as restaurants and shops. Baggage claim facilities will be located on the lower level.

The new complex will have twice the number of parking spaces offered at the existing terminal. A three-story parking garage, which can be expanded to five stories, will be located directly across from the terminal. The garage will accommodate rental car facilities and 2,200 hourly parking spaces. Shuttles will serve the 9,800-space, long-term parking lot and the 1,300-space employee parking area.

A combination of metal roofs, keystone, wood and natural colors will give the terminal a distinct Southwest Florida feel. The color palette on the interior will reflect the region’s environment, with terrazzo floor tiles flecked with mother-of-pearl, sand-colored counter surfaces and deep-green, patterned carpet that evokes the flow of sea grass. One-foot-square tiles inlaid with brass-bordered seashells will accent concourse floors. High ceiling, walls of glass and clerestory windows will allow natural light to flood the terminal, and native vegetation will flank six entry vestibules.